{"product_id":"axolotl-wild-type","title":"Wild Type Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) | Live Freshwater Aquatic Salamander","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Wild Type Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is the original natural color form of this neotenic Mexican salamander — olive-brown to dark grey with greenish-gold flecks, dark eyes, and the iconic feathery external gills that fan out behind the head. Wild types show the deepest pigmentation of any axolotl morph and tend to \"color up\" further as they mature. They are 100% aquatic for life and stay in their larval form, breathing through gills and absorbing oxygen through skin and lungs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLooking for more freshwater livestock or accessories? Browse our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/a\u003e selection or the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFish \u0026amp; Livestock\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCare Quick-Look\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wild Type Axolotl\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ambystoma mexicanum\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9–12 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–15 years with proper care\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gal long for one; 40 gal+ for a same-sized pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60–68 °F (a chiller is often required in summer)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.4–7.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e GH 7–14, KH 6–8\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intermediate — cool-water and substrate-specific\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful with people, but a predator toward anything in the tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eTank Setup \u0026amp; Tank Mates\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAxolotls are best kept \u003cstrong\u003ealone\u003c\/strong\u003e. They will mistake fish, shrimp, and snails for food and try to swallow them — and many fish nip back at the gills, causing serious injury. Two same-sized, well-fed adults can sometimes share a 40 gal+ tank, but expect occasional gill or limb nips (axolotls regenerate, but it's stressful). Never house juveniles together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eKeep \u003cstrong\u003efine sand or bare bottom only\u003c\/strong\u003e — gravel and small pebbles cause fatal impactions when swallowed. Provide hides (terra-cotta caves, driftwood, large smooth rocks), low flow, and dim lighting. They have no eyelids and prefer shaded spots. A sponge filter or baffled HOB keeps current gentle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eKeeping water cool is the single most important husbandry detail — temperatures above 72 °F cause stress, suppressed appetite, and bacterial\/fungal infections. Plan for a chiller, a basement tank, or AC if you can't keep ambient room temps in the mid-60s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Feeding\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAxolotls are obligate carnivores. Feed a varied diet of high-protein sinking foods:\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSinking axolotl\/salmon pellets as a daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEarthworms (nightcrawlers, halved or whole) — the gold-standard protein\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eFrozen bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, mysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOccasional live blackworms or earthworm pieces for enrichment\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eFeed juveniles daily, sub-adults every 1–2 days, adults 2–3× per week. Use feeding tongs or a turkey baster to deliver food directly — they hunt by smell and motion, not vision. Remove uneaten food promptly to keep ammonia in check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eAcclimation\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eDrip-acclimate slowly over 60–90 minutes to match temperature, pH, and hardness. Axolotls are extra sensitive to ammonia\/chlorine spikes and to thermal shock — never plop-and-drop. Use a Seachem Prime conditioner on every water change and confirm 0 ammonia \/ 0 nitrite before introducing your new arrival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eWild Type Axolotl\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAmbystoma mexicanum\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eCaptive-bred (native to Lake Xochimilco, Mexico)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eCarnivore — pellets, worms, frozen meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFreshwater (cool, neutral-to-slightly alkaline)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eN\/A — freshwater species\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eYes — they ignore plants (anubias, java fern, hornwort recommended)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-axolotl-aquatic-newt-food\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eZooMed Axolotl \u0026amp; Aquatic Newt Food\u003c\/a\u003e — purpose-formulated sinking pellet\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish-food\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFrozen bloodworms, blackworms \u0026amp; mysis\u003c\/a\u003e — protein variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-treatments\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSeachem Prime \u0026amp; water conditioners\u003c\/a\u003e — neutralize chlorine\/chloramine on every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFine sand substrate \u0026amp; freshwater accessories\u003c\/a\u003e — safe substrate is critical for axolotls\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAquarium chiller — non-negotiable in warm climates\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan axolotls live with fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot safely. Fish nip at the external gills, and axolotls will try to eat smaller tankmates and choke. Keep them species-only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they ever come onto land?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Axolotls are neotenic — they keep their larval, fully-aquatic form for life. They don't need a land area, and dry exposure is harmful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the temperature so important?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAxolotls evolved in cold high-altitude lakes. Above ~72 °F they get stressed, stop eating, and become prone to bacterial and fungal infections that can be fatal. Plan for cool-water husbandry from day one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size will mine grow to?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e9–12 inches over 12–18 months with consistent feeding. Wild types tend to darken and develop richer color as they mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do axolotls live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e10–15 years is typical with good care; some reach 20. They are a long-term commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these captive-bred?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. All our axolotls come from established US captive-breeding lines — wild axolotls are critically endangered and not collected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48518113886427,"sku":"FW1-F6171","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_6cd4a169-cf15-4b13-a9c9-6f6a4cca0b99.png?v=1774630893","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/axolotl-wild-type","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}